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Seeking options for solid surface shower floor and walls

8 years ago

I'm looking to replace a moulded corner fiberglass shower unit. I'd like the front and exposed side to be glass, so am looking for options for the back and other side wall, as well as the floor. I was hoping to avoid tile (not a grout fan, and concerned about leaks) and go for something that's very simple and classic in a solid surface format, so it's easy to care for. The problem is that the dimensions will very likely not allow for a standard off-the-shelf product (it will probably end up around 38x40 inches). I will NOT be doing the work myself :-)

I looked at US Marble and like the concept esp. since it allows for custom sizes but I really don't find the color range that attractive. Any recommended alternatives? Thanks

Comments (24)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Solid surface can be fabricated into any size seamless wall panel. We did some fifteen footers in the women's dorm shower at Bowling Green State University twenty years ago.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Thank you- are there any strong pros or cons on any of the solid surface options? I was looking at the Kohler Choreograph option too. Cost-wise presumably they would be more cost-effective than something like a thin quartz-type product?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Architects don't specify tile, engineered stone, or granite for surgery room wall cladding. They do specify solid surface. No grout, nonporous, repairable, sanitary, easiest to maintain.

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks Joseph, that's my thinking. Have you (or anyone else) any experience with this product line? https://americanbathfactory.com/pages/shower-collections

  • 8 years ago

    I have Corian in my master bath shower. Love it! Would never go back to a tile shower again. It's been a breeze for up-keep ( I squeegee after every shower) and it looks new after 18 yrs. Don't have to seal it and worry about that grout! Worth every penny IMO.

  • 8 years ago

    I had a custom shower pan fabricated by Kramer Fabrications, kramershowerbases.com

  • 8 years ago

    Solid surface is costly...BUT...in 50 years, it will look as good as the day it was installed. Choose a "classic" solid color.

  • 7 years ago

    Back again- I'm looking at Transolid now as it checks many of my boxes. One question for anyone with experience installing- I was planning this for a corner shower where one wall would be half glass. Does anyone know if Transolid direct-to-stud kit construction allows for use with walls that are not full height? For example, Maax kits lock together at corner intersections in a way that would prevent me using those in this context.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I'd call Transolid directly and ask them. If they say no problem and then you have a problem you would have some recourse. I call manufacturer's all the time. Though I do other research and get other opinions, too. I figure it doesn't hurt to get an answer from the horse's mouth and see what they say and if it agrees with my other research. If not, I have some interesting conversations with the manufacturer.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks, agreed, better to be sure, though it's always good to get input from end users too. I've decided to stick with a standard 36x36 to make this easier

  • 7 years ago

    I did a Transolid shower, but mine was not Direct to Stud. I do know that when I was talking with the company about getting Direct To Stud, they said it was not appropriate for me because the wall material could not stand so many holes. I was going to want to drill holes in for my showerhead, for 4 valves, and 3 holes for a handheld shower. Plus my own safety handrails that I already bought. It turns out that the SS with the mesh backing is not really meant to have holes drilled into it, the shower set-up is already provided for in the panels and you should stick to where the shower head is "supposed" to be and not try to add a lot. So I got the regular SS material from them. THAT, I know you may cut in half (or wherever) to have a half wall.


    Call the Transolid number from the Transolid site for technical info. For purchasing, call Bath1.com.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks Nancy. I was just reading your very helpful comments in another thread and was hoping you would see this one! I currently have a molded all-in-one acrylic unit so was thinking direct-to-stud was the way to go, and was looking at the White Carrara 39x39" trench drain ADA option, to give me that bit more space over the standard 36x36 option.

    .

    I now see what you mean, though, the 'remodel' formats that glue on to drywall seem to be more versatile and come with additional trim. Plus it looks as though they offer additional options that aren't on their website, so maybe I could still get that size base. Thanks for your insight- very helpful

  • 7 years ago

    Nancy, is yours the White Carrara?

  • 7 years ago
    Yes, mine is White Carrara.
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you- the color intensity of the veining looks very different on different websites

  • 7 years ago

    Nancy- do you happen to have any more photos of your shower that you could share? I'm waiting for samples to come in but the more I look online the more I'm concerned about the intensity of the veining - my space is small so I need something pretty minimal so that its not overpowering, so this may not be right for me.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I sure understand that, here are some up close pictures and far pictures that show the walls. Be sure to enlarge the photos by clicking on them in order to get the whole pic:


    The floor does look pretty bold, and there are parts of the walls that do, too. My bathroom (excluding the shower) is 8.5 ft x 5 ft, with the shower off to the side of that on the long wall. My chair rail and baseboards are Carrara marble, though, and look just as bold in places. My Carrara is with a grayer background. The tiles are light gray. Grout is DeLorean gray.


    Here is one side, where the veining is mostly light.


    And the close up.



    This is the darkest veining.


    and a third close up.


    I would suggest that you look into Swanstone showers in the colors Ice and Tundra. I was going to get Ice, but their deepest shower is not deep enough to maneuver a wheelchair into. I think it was 34" deep, and I could get 37.75" from Transolid. HB did a shower in Ice (or maybe Tundra, I remember it as Ice, but she/he has also called it Tundra) and you can see it if you scroll down this thread: [Kohler Choreograph?[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/kohler-choreograph-dsvw-vd~3420698)

    Look at October 24 2016 and December 3, 2016 for the photos.

  • 7 years ago

    The lights that we put in the ceiling of the shower also help it from being a dark hole. They are very easy to install because they come complete with their electrical hook up and don't need a square or octogonal electrical box behind them. My builder was thrilled to see I had gotten them, as they require so little work and fit into the depth that normal drywall ceilings provide. So that means that if a ceiling rafter is in your way, it does not matter. You can install the light as long as there is room next to the rafter for it's connection to sit. No adjustment needed, you can center you light(s) where you want them, no matter what is above your ceiling. They were DALS Lighting 7006 -SN 6" LED Round Shower Trim - 3000 K.

    Here they are at Build.com, where I got mine.


  • 7 years ago

    Bath1 sells the Swanstone Ice Solid Surface panels in a 48" x 96" size. You have your contractor scribe the walls and cut them to fit the size of shower you want. The panels are $958.70 each, so you get three panels and any shelves or nooks that you want separately. It is a way of making the shower any custom size. The panels will either go to the 8 ft ceiling, or at least 8 feet high, if you have really tall ceilings in your shower. Swanstone Ice 48" panels

    You can also check local dealers and see if they can get them cheaper. I have found local plumbing supply stores that sell the Swanstone, though they may not have them on display much. One local place to me even has 2 ft square panels of several colors to see. I have to remind them they have them, though, as they forget! Ice and Tundra are two colors they have in that size.


    if you are interested, I can also send you my 6" square samples of Ice and Tundra, since I will not need them anymore.

  • 7 years ago

    Nancy, thank you so much, that is extremely kind of you to go to so much trouble with the photos and information. Your shower really does look great.

    I actually did look at Swanstone Ice and also Kohler Choreograph Ice Grey (I also have samples of these, but I do appreciate the offer of yours). When I saw your post about Transolid I realized this was closer to what I was looking for, and your photos reinforce that. As long as the 'background' is fairly white/bright and not too cream/yellow-ish I think I should be fine.

    Thanks again for your time and insight.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Onyx Collection is a great product that's easy to clean and price is affordable. They offer standard and custom sizes.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Which manufacturer for the Onyx Collection - Harris McClain Kitchen and Bath?

  • 2 years ago

    The Onyx Collection is a chain of franchises, I believe. Solid Surface s a term that is used only for solid panels that have the color going throughout the panel. So, if you need to sand out a stain or scratch or scuff the pattern of colors continues throughout the panel. Using a plastic scrubbie to “sand” solid surface is how you fix any surface damage. Corian, original Swanstone (not Veritek) and some other manufacturers offer solid surface panels or shower kits. The Onyx Collection gloss panels have a gloss top finish, so are not repairable by the end user in this same way. You will have to check with them on whether their color goes throughout. Another kind of shower panel that is also made of plastic is called “Marbleite.” Often, if you go to the box box home centers, they have the ability to order from Onyx Collection (do not confuse this product with the semi-precious gem that is called onyx, they are not the same thing), Marbleite, Swanstone, and maybe Corian. Some free standing kitchen and bath or plumbing shops also order Swanstone or Corian. Call their showrooms and ask what shower surfaces they offer. Corian may be found at some countertop fabricators, as well. You can learn about Corian and Swanstone colors, patterns, and offered panel sizes online.